Proposes that textbook publishers and educators collaborate in producing high-quality curriculum materials. Some of the materials would be customized to deal with the students' own environment. Representatives of two large publishing firms disagree and contend that the problem is school boards' unwillingness to pay for quality products. (MLF)

Outlines American Library Association recommendations for writing policies and procedures covering the selection of instructional materials. (JM)

Warns teachers to be cautious in accepting the free and inexpensive instructional materials offered by business, utilities, and trade associations because these materials may contain subtle industry propaganda. Describes how industry promotes such materials and suggests guidelines for reviewing them and for counteracting biased presentations. (SJL)

Presents a three-phase process for selecting instructional materials: (1) screening materials; (2) matching screened materials to identified district characteristics and needs; and (3) decision-making. Part I of this three-part article appeared in "Curriculum Review," January 1981, pp9-14. (SJL)

Suggests that more attention be paid by biochemistry textbook authors to the breadth of contemporary learning strategies, given the fact that an increasing number of medical schools have adopted an integrated, self-paced, problem-based curriculum. Discusses the theoretical characteristics desirable in the ideal biochemistry textbook. (JJK)

Reconsiders the place of Peter Berger's "Invitation to Sociology," in teaching undergraduate sociology courses. Traces the success and intellectual impact of the work. Describes the image of sociology it presents. Reviews its treatment of human freedom as a sociological issue. Examines its world vision and evaluates its usefulness in…

A discussion of second language reading instruction to develop language proficiency examines the concept of reading proficiency, the reading processes used by native speakers and language learners, the importance of top-down and bottom-up reading, activating predicting and projecting skills, the difference between reading at the peak of one's…

This document is a position statement of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics on instructional materials, including textbooks. First the point is made that the content, organization, and style of instructional materials are among the most important factors influencing outcomes of school mathematics programs. Then five standards are…

Describes "A Guide to Selecting Basal Reading Programs," which was developed to help textbook adoption committees select basal reading texts in elementary schools. Topics discussed include development of booklets that describe various aspects of reading instruction and the role of the guidelines in improving the quality of basal reading…

Knowing what you need in a textbook is the first step in adopting one. This article gives tips on how to review the current research in a subject area before assessing needs. A list of four references is provided. (DCS)

Outlines selection principles that should govern the selection of textbooks for the English classroom. (HOD)

Looks at factors in the textbook publishing industry, especially costs and censorship, which affect the quality of available reading series. Notes the problem of readability and content bias. Finally, presents a checklist of basal reader evaluation criteria. (SJL)

Examines 11 randomly selected English handbooks to determine the currently published guidelines for avoiding sexist language. Reveals that major differences exist among these handbooks when dealing with equality in language and suggests that feminist teachers exert leadership when selecting handbooks. Ranks five handbooks from offensive to…

Discusses the evaluations of U.S. history textbooks conducted by People for the American Way. Concludes that the higher-rated textbooks are useful only for college-bound students and the lower-ranked textbooks seem to be aimed at children with reading difficulties, thus pointing out some of the problems facing selection committees. (KO)

Asserts that international trade, as compared with international finance or even international economics, is primarily an applied microeconomics field. Discusses decomposition analysis in relation to international trade and tariffs. Reports on an evaluation of the treatment of this topic in eight college-level economics textbooks. (CFR)